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Olympus C-50 Zoom

Olympus packs a 5.0-megapixel CCD into an ultra-compact body, with a host of advanced features too.

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Page 1:Intro and Highlights

Review First Posted: 11/26/2002

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5.0-megapixel resolution for 2,560 x 1,920 images.
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3x zoom lens
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Ultra-compact, all metal body.
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Full manual exposure control.
 

 

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Manufacturer Overview

Olympus continues to be a dominant player in the digicam marketplace. Their digital camera lineup is one of the broadest in the industry, with numerous models ranging from pure entry-level, point-and-shoot digicams to advanced digital SLRs (Single-Lens Relexes). With the release of the C-50 Zoom, Olympus pairs a 5.0-megapixel CCD, true 3x optical zoom lens, and (optional) manual exposure control with an ultra-compact body. Traditionally, compact digicams offer only limited feature sets, but the C-50 Zoom is really a fully-capable model with a wealth of both advanced and novice-oriented features. Besides the extensive manual exposure controls, it also offers a full range of Scene modes to make it easier for novices to handle tricky shooting conditions. Finally, a unique"My Camera" menu lets the user custom-configure a broad range of settings to meet specific needs. With a street price at introduction under $600, the C-50 Zoom is a versatile, affordable, very compact, digicam.

High Points

  • 5.0-megapixel CCD with TruePic technology, delivering image resolutions as high as 2,560 x 1,920 pixels.
  • 1.5-inch, color LCD display.
  • Real-image optical viewfinder.
  • Olympus 3x Zoom, 7.8-23.4mm aspherical glass lens (equivalent to a 38-114mm lens on a 35mm camera).
  • 4x Digital Zoom.
  • Shutter speeds from 1/1,000 to eight seconds for still images; 1/8,000 to 1/30 seconds for movies.
  • Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual exposure modes, plus six Scene modes.
  • Spot or Digital ESP metering systems.
  • Auto Bracketing and Sequence capture modes.
  • Adjustable White Balance with five settings.
  • Variable ISO setting.
  • Contrast and Sharpness image adjustments.
  • Built-in flash with six operating modes.
  • QuickTime Movie mode (without sound).
  • Panorama and "2 in 1" capture modes.
  • "My" mode for saving customized settings.
  • JPEG and uncompressed TIFF file formats.
  • Images saved on xD-Picture Card (16MB card included).
  • USB cable for fast connection to a computer.
  • Video cable for connection to a television set.
  • Software CD with Olympus' Camedia Master 4.0 utility software (includes QuickTime and USB drivers).
  • DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility and print settings.
  • Power from one lithium-ion battery pack or optional AC adapter (battery and charger included).

 

 

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